Wider county road opposed
A plan to turn a major county road into something closer to a divided highway is raising hackles on Orchard Prairie, a place better known for its grange, small country school and homemakers’ club than political activism.
Spokane County officials want to widen Bigelow Gulch Road from two lanes to four with a center turn lane and straighten its curves. The improvements will make it safer and accommodate greater traffic demand, said Spokane County Engineer Ross Kelley.
But the $40 million project will negatively affect the people who live there and must put up with traffic noise and other impacts, said Orchard Prairie resident Don Hamilton.
“They really do have a small community, but to the road builders we’re just one more obstacle to be dealt with,” Hamilton said.
Bigelow Gulch Road has long been used as a shortcut between Spokane’s North Side and the Spokane Valley. It now carries about 18,000 vehicles a day. More than 26,000 daily trips are expected by 2025.
That’s due in part to the North Spokane Corridor which, once it is completed between Wandermere and Francis Avenue, will dump traffic directly onto Bigelow Gulch.
Most say that something must be done to improve the road, but many residents say the current plan is overkill.
“All of a sudden it’s a highway,” said Prairie Protection Association Chairwoman Marilyn Highberg, who has lived there for almost 40 years.
Highberg and Hamilton contend the last plans they saw, back in 1999, showed a three-lane road with wider shoulders, not a five-lane road with some frontage roads.
But county engineers say that even in 1999 they were talking about at least a four-lane road.
“These people are just not remembering,” said Bill Hemmings, the county’s program development engineer.
Spokesman-Review articles from that time also mention planning for a four-lane Bigelow Gulch.
“We’re just trying to make it safe up there. There have been two injury accidents there in the past week,” Hemmings said.
Most accidents should be blamed on the drivers, not the roadway, said Spokane County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Dave Reagan. “If you drive the speed limit and reduce your speed when conditions aren’t optimal, it’s safe,” he said of Bigelow Gulch.
During open houses held last month, engineers and residents clashed. At one point a sheriff’s deputy was called to intervene.
Such open houses only hinder criticism because individuals can’t hear the questions and comments of others, said Hamilton, who added he would prefer a more formal public hearing.
He will get his wish. Neighbors last week met with Spokane County Commissioner Todd Mielke, who said he would get them another meeting as well as extend the comment period on an environmental assessment of the project by another 30 days.
Orchard Prairie School District Assistant Superintendent Bob McMillan said he originally feared that the changes could cost the school district more money for its school bus route, but he now thinks the route can be modified without costing more.
Charlotte Mangan’s biggest fear is for the deer and elk that live on the prairie. Increased traffic and a wider roadway could mean their demise, Mangan said.
Others fear that a better roadway will only mean more pressure to change land-use rules to allow for more development on the prairie.
Highberg now wonders what can be done. “It does seem that we”re in a no-win situation. It’s kind of late.”
“There are going to be safety improvements made to Bigelow Gulch. That’s for sure,” said Mielke. “The question is, will there be modifications made to address citizen concerns.”